Devendra Fadnavis announces Nitin Gadkari as the lead BJP candidate from Maharashtra.

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Union minister Nitin Gadkari's name would be the first in the list of BJP candidates once the ruling alliance in the state finalizes its seat-sharing agreement for the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to reporters here, the BJP leader pooh-poohed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's offer of a Lok Sabha ticket to Gadkari from the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

"Gadkari is our prominent leader. He contests from Nagpur. When the first list of candidates (of BJP) was released, there had been no discussions among Mahayuti partners (BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP)….When the discussions take place, Gadkari's name would come up first (in the candidates' list)," Fadnavis said.Thackeray's own party was in shambles, he said, adding, "The chief of such a party giving offer to a national-level leader like Gadkari is akin to a small-time person offering someone the post of US President."

Speaking at a rally on Thursday, Thackeray had said Gadkari should show "Maharashtra's mettle" and resign instead of "bowing before Delhi". "We will ensure his election as an MVA candidate," Thackeray said.